The stitching along my vert top seems to be opening up. Any tips on how to reinforce and repair before it gets bad?
Same issue on both sides. But the photo is from driver side.

Update on 11-29-14
The first place I called said that they don't do these kind of repairs. They recommend a new top (after all, they tell me, the original top is over 13 years old). I will try to contact another shop and see what they say.
However, in looking at the underside it seems (pun not intended) that the stitching is not what is failing. After the seams are sewn on these tops some type of glue is applied to one side of the fabric and it is folded over. Once that glue/adhesive dries the stitches are less visible from the outside than before.
On my top the glue that holds the sewn fabric down is drying up. Or the fabric is beginning to decay/disintegrate in this area. Happening on both sides. So that is why it looks like the seams are opening up.
[If none of these local shops are willing to do the work this would be my next course of action.
I will try to see if I can loosen some screws and shift the headliner to get better access to that area where the glue is failing. If that works I can evaluate the thread and clean out any loose bits of glue and fabric. Then I will need to use some appropriate industrial strength glue (some 3M product, or Rhino come to mind) and somehow clamp it until the glue dries.]
Stay tuned..........

 

If this were mine, I'd take it to a shop that works on convertible tops to see if they can repair it.

In the end, you'll probably need a new top.

YMMV.

 

Thanks.
In the end every car will need a new top, if you know what I mean.

 

You might find a curved upholstery needle that can sew a blind hem without removing the top. Hard to tell from the photo. If you sew, use the same holes and it will lay as before.

Tops used to be considered a disposable piece, back when they were one ply vinyl. Now they are as renewable as body paint, and should last as long with care. Not every car will need a new top, a lot still have the factory material, in answer to the every car needs a new top sometime.

A shop can resew this area. I have used fabric glue on outside awnings with fine results, and it might be something to consider here, but I do not know how well it would hold under tension. It wouldn't look good if it failed, exposing the seam plus a glob of glue residue. Perhaps useful as an adjunct to sewing if used sparingly, so it won't show.

The old adage a stitch in time saves nine applies well here.

 

I did upholstery on collector cars for 25 years before giving it up. A good upholsterer should be able to hand stitch that so it is not noticeable.

 

I would try to have it repairedthen if it can't be repaired you can always get a new top Cheers

 

I see from your posts history that you have done upholstery and sold a number of cars. As I updated above, the immediate problem with my top is NOT that the thread is coming loose (maybe that will happen next). The problem is that the seams are (supposed to be) glued down and the glue has dried up. From the outside it makes it look like the seam is opening up.
I will try to glue down that seam. Can you recommend what might be a good product to use for this? Given all your years at this kind of work I would appreciate the advice.
Thanks in advance.

 

I would be concerned about the integrity of the rest of the top including the stitching holding in the rear window, etc. and just replace the entire thing.